Hon. Thomas S. Ling (Ret.) is a senior judge for the Bedford County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. He was elected to the bench in 1999 and retained in 2009 and 2019. Ling retired in January 2020.
During his judicial tenure, he was the president judge in Bedford County from 2010 to 2020. While serving in that capacity, Ling was sued by the Bedford County Commissioners in 2011 in an effort to gain control of the Supervisory Fund and DUI Fund which were both administered by the Court. The case was later settled in 2014.
Ling received a bachelor’s degree in political science (state and local government) from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977. While attending university, he was appointed to serve on the Lincoln Township Board of Supervisors, serving as its chairman in 1976. He went on to complete a J.D. at Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson Law in 1980. While a law student, Ling was an officer on the Moot Court Board and was a member of the Wool Sack Honor Society and the Order of the Barristers.
He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Supreme Court.
Prior to pursuing his education, Ling served in active duty in the United States Navy beginning in 1968. During his military service, he held the rank of Second Class Petty Officer (E-5) and served as an Aviation Machinist Mate with attachments to two squadrons, VA-42 and VXE-6. He was honorably discharged in 1973.
After graduating from law school, Ling opened a solo practice and was later hired as an assistant district attorney with the Bedford County District Attorney’s Office in 1985. He was quickly selected to serve as the District Attorney that same year, completing the term vacated by the Hon. Daniel L. Howsare after his election to the Court of Common Pleas.
Unable to secure a second term in the position in 1987, Ling worked for a time as a county solicitor and public defender (1988 to 1991). He ultimately reclaimed his position as District Attorney after winning his second attempt in 1991. Ling was re-elected in 1995.
His civic involvement included the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Kiwanis, and the Masons and Order of the Eastern Star.
Ling and his wife, Mary Ann Mitchell, have two daughters. He is a graduate of Chestnut Ridge High School. Growing up, Ling was active in the Boys Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout.